NPPMWATCH
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ACTION ALERT
ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT
Safe Harbor.... For
Whom?
For the better part of two years, animal advocates in Pennsylvania fought for new legislation to improve the health and welfare for the breeder dogs trapped in large scale commercial breeding facilities, aka: puppy mills, across the state. Part of the new law, now known as Act 119 of 2008, REQUIRES commercial breeders to provide veterinary care to their dogs who breed the puppies from which the millers profit and prosper. Additionally, commercial kennels are required to utilize the services of a state licensed veterinarian when euthanasia is required. Why would any agency make it easy for commercial breeders to dump their unwanted breeding stock and, worse, expect donations from the public to pay for the veterinary care these breeders are now required to provide? Safe Harbor, a program created by two Pennsylvania organizations (PVMA and Federated Humane Societies of PA) who failed to support the ongoing legislative endeavors of anti-puppy mill advocates and created position statements only when HB-2525 was in its final stages for political posturing, now seeks to allow commercial breeders the ability to rid themselves of breeding stock and face absolutely no financial or legal ramifications for doing so. In short, Safe Harbor is creating legalized amnesty for those who profit from the abuse of dogs. Without fear of being cited for animal cruelty and what amounts to a "get out of vet fees for free" ticket, what puppy miller wouldn't take advantage of a program that allows them to get rid of dogs who are now costing them money? A description of the Safe Harbor program from the PVMA is available HERE. The PVMA describes the program as follows: "Provide commercial kennel owners a humane way of divesting themselves of unwanted dogs." "Whether the kennel is closing because [of an] inability to comply with the new law and regulations, downsizing or simply has possession of dogs they no longer want." "Will also offer a way for kennel operators to surrender unwanted dogs without fear of prosecution." In other words, the shelters participating in this program have absolutely no intention of citing kennel operators for infractions of Pennsylvania's crimes code as it pertains to animal cruelty and the newly revised Pennsylvania Dog Law. By allowing breeders to dump their dogs, evade the cost of veterinary fees and not fear being prosecuted for animal abuse, cruelty and neglect, the shelters in this program are endorsing commercial breeding - the very industry that is primarily responsible for the pet overpopulation problem to begin with! Adding insult to injury, each of the shelters participating in Safe Harbor are kill shelters and include: Humane Society of Berks County Bucks County SPCA Clearfield County SPCA Humane League of Lancaster County Luzerne County SPCA York County SPCA Currently, the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement is endorsing the Safe Harbor program while disregarding those rescues who have, for years, pulled unwanted breeding dogs from the mills, rehabilitated them and placed them in forever homes. Pennsylvania has an assortment of licensed not-for-profit and "no kill" rescues who specialize in the retrieval and rehabilitation of puppy mill breeder dogs who not only are better equipped and prepared to deal with the challenges puppy mill rescues present but have a low-to-no euthansia track record. Additionally, these groups DO NOT turn a blind eye to animal abuse, cruelty or neglect and not only report these crimes but seek to have those responsible for the abuse prosecuted and shut down. Before pulling out your checkbook to make a donation to Safe Harbor, do your homework and give some thought to how your money will be spent. Would you write that check If you knew your funds were helping puppy millers? We didn't think so. |